Short run film developer system



Ap 1968 J. A. PATTERSON 3,377,938

SHORT RUN FILM DEVELOPER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 9, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVEN'IOR JEROME A. PATTERSON ATTORNEYS April 16, 1968 J. A. PATTERSONSHORT RUN FILM DEVELOPER SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1966 F/GI2 73 INVENTOR JEROME A. PATTERSON FIG 3 ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,377,938 SHORT RUN FILM DEVELOPER SYSTEM Jerome A. Patterson, 80Matthews St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13905 Filed Dec. 9, 1966, Ser. No.600,616 1 Claim. (CI. 95-89) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A short rundeveloper system of the type usable by the low volume, small businessmicrofilm photographer. The developer system is contained within asealed lighttight developer chamber having a film takeup device and afluid applicator including a spray nozzle and a mixing manifold forsequentially applying fixing, washing, and developing solutions to thefilm being developed. The various treating solutions are contained instorage tanks that communicates with the mixing manifold via a series ofindependent valves which are sequentially opened and closed by a similarseries of cams.

Background of the invention Field of the inventi0n.Photography: darkcabinets, roll film.

The significant prior art is as follows-(1) Tondreau (2,651,245) showingthe use of spraying in a short developer system; (2) Mandel (2,287,742);(3) Mader (2,888,272); (4) Corrons (2,909,979).

Most commercialy available short run systems are extremely complex andexpensive. See, for example, Tondreau.

Summary of the invention According to the present invention alight-tight developing chamber with film take-up device and light-sealedexposed film inlet port includes an interiorly supported spray nozzle.Exterior developer, water and fix tanks communicate with the spraynozzle via independently valved separate conduits and a manifold. Anelectric motor may be employed to actuate cams for sequential operationof the valves so that the desired amounts of developer, water and fixare admitted through the manifold to the spray nozzle. Spraying pressureis achieved by an external pressure source connected to the developer,water and fix tanks.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic View showing aleading edge of exposed film supported in said light-tight developerchamber opposite the spray nozzle.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation showing the fixer tank, cams and manifoldexteriorly supported with respect to the light-tight developing chamber,and

FIG. 3 is a front elevation showing the pressure source communicatingwith individual fix, water and developer tanks.

In FIG. 1 light-tight developer chamber is illustrated as including alight-sealed exposed film inlet port 12 and supporting a film take-upreel and indicator 14. A stainless steel film engaging leader 16 may besecured to takeup reel. Exposed film 18 engaged by leader 16 is drawnfrom exteriorly supported microfilm camera 26 (shown in phantom) pastspray nozzle 22 which communicates with manifold 26 by means of conduit24.

The individual fix tank 34, water tank 36 and developer tank 38 arepressurized by compressed gas or other suitable pressure source 64 suchas a throw-away refillable flask, having control valve 66 and pressureregulator and gauge 68 mounted in conduit 70. Individual feed conduits72, 74 and 76 lead from conduit 70 into the individual tanks. Liquidoutlet conduits 40, 42 and 44 communicate with manifold 26 respectivelyvia valves 28, 30 and 32 and manifold feed conduits 46, 48 and 50. Aseries of valve-actuating cams 56, 58 and 60 are coaxially supportedupon drive shaft 54 of electric motor 52 or other suitable power source.The light-tight developing chamber may include a drain tube 62. Also,the tanks 34, 36 and 38 which may be throw away bottles may bepositioned adjacent a thermostatically controlled heat source 73 so asto maintain these liquids at the optimum temperature.

During operation, from 1 to 24 frames of the conventional 100 foot reelof microfilm may be developed. The exposed section of film 18 istransported through inlet 12 and into the light-tight developingchamber. Indicator 15 will notify the operator when the maximum amountof film which can be processed at any one time has entered thedeveloping chamber. The operator will then actuate the multi-purposevalves 23, 30 and 32 by activating electric motor 52. As motor 52 causescams 56, 58 and 60 to rotate, developer, wash, fix and final wash aresprayed through nozzle 22 and onto film 18. The operator will thenunlock the lid secured to chamber by means of hinge 76 and cut thedeveloped film. Then the stainless steel spray loaded wire or leader 16connected to the take-up device Will be reconnected to the end of theunprocessed film remaining in the chamber. Since daylight loadingcameras will be used, the operator will be required to sponge off thedye back material from the film. After a few minutes of air drying, therim is ready for cutting and filing. In order to eliminate the problemsof cost, noise, space and maintenance of a motor and air compressor, athrow-away or refillable fiask of compressed air will be used to forceliquids from the individual developer, fix and water tanks to the sprayhead. Water will be supplied from any clean local source.

As a result, there may be processed small batches of frames meeting goodcommercial specifications for the developing of film. This processingcan be accomplished in a low cost device without harmful eifects to thecamera by a relatively unskilled operator. Also, a minimum ofmaintenance is required.

I claim:

1. A short run developer system comprising:

(a) a light-tight developer chamber including an outlet drain and havinga light-sealed exposed film inlet port;

(b) a film take-up device rotatably mounted in said chamber and securedto the leading edge of exposed film, so as to draw said exposed filmfrom an exteriorly mounted camera through said inlet port and into saiddeveloper chamber and including an ex teriorly positioned film take-upindicator;

(c) a film spray nozzle supported in said chamber opposite said exposedfilm and having an interior mixing manifold;

(d) sources of fixer, water and developer communicating with said mixingmanifold via independent valve means; and

(e) a power-driven cam means engaging said valve means, so as to admitsequentially to said manifold and said nozzle the desired amounts offixer, water and developer;

(f) a pressure source communicating with said fixer, water and developersources, so as to urge these liquids through said manifold and nozzle;and

(g) a thermostatically controlled heat source supported 2,651,245 9/1953 Tondreau. adjacent said fixer, water and developer sources, so2,825,272 3/1958 Mader. as to maintain appropriate temperature.2,909,979 10/ 1959 Corrons.

3,000,288 9/1961 Winnek 95-89 References Cited 5 3,087,405 4/ 1963,Sachs et al. 9594 I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,391 5/1963 Sizgler 9589XR 2,287,742 6/1942 Mandel. 3,299,790 1/1967 Dreffenbach 9589 2,401,1855/1946 Pratt 61 a1 9594 JOHN M HORAN P E 2,614,472 10/1952 Luboshez95-94 "f f' 2,631,511 3/1953 T tfl 95.439 19 FRED L. BRAUN, AsslstwntExammer.

